Atomizer



Nov. 19, 1929. T. A. DE vlLBlss ATOMIZER Filed Jan. 5, 192e PatentedNov. 19, 1929 UNITED STATES iTEN'D OFFICE THOMAS A. DE VILBISS, OFTOLEDO, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE DE VILBISS COMPANY, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, ACORPORATION OF OHIO .ATOMIZER Application led January 3, 1928.

This invention relates to an atomizer especially adapted to be used inconnection with toilet articles which contain perfume or the like. Itsobject is primarily to provide a device of this kind which is simple inconstruction and in which special provision is made to prevent theescape of the contents of the container when it is not in use.

In atomizers of this kind, as heretofore generally constructed, it hasbeen thought necessary, or at least desirable, to provide a small ventin the stopper to prevent the liquid contents of the container frombubbling over bv reason of the evaporation and resultant ex- 15 pansionof the gas within the container. Even then the vent, which is of coursequite small, often gets stopped up and the liquid, which containsalcohol, runs out and causes considerable damage to the Finish of the 201dresser or table upon which the atomizer is ept.

It should also be borne in mind that open vent holes permit the gradualescape of a considerable part of the volatile contents of the 25container. This is wasteful and the strength of the perfumery or otherpreparation in the container is much weakened. Atomizers have been madein which cut-offs were provided for the nozzle and vent, but these arecomplicated and expensive and are not very convenient.

The present invention has been perfected with the object of overcomingthe above mentioned difficulties. In its preferred form, it comprises asmall cup, which provides a liquid seal for both the air inlet and thenozzle, yet the capacity of the cup is so small that a vent isunnecessary, since the few drops contained therein may bubble overwithout causing any damage. This cup is preferably arrange-d in suc-h amanner that it may be adjusted to cut oif the air inlet and nozzlecompletely, thus making it possible to pack the container with W itscontents in a travelling bag or theke, without any danger of spillingthe contents.

The specific construction of the invention, and its mode of operation,will be more particularly described in connection with the accompanyingdrawing, in which:

serial No. 244,144.

Figure 1 is a central' vertical sectional view of the lnvention 1nposition for operation.

Fig. 2 is a similar view illustrating another adaptation of theinvention.

The invention is illustrated in connection with a container 5 ofconventional design and provided with a mouth 6 permanently securedthereto in any suitable manner and composed of rust proof metal or somematerial having similar properties. Various types or styles of Stoppersmay be used for the container as represented at 7 and 8 in Figures 1 and2, respectively. These stoppers have screw threaded connections with themouth of the container, the latter being provided with a seat forreceiving a packing ring 9. f 1n the form shown in Figure 1, the stopper7 has a head 10 permanently secured to its upper end and formed with anozzle 11 having` a small outlet 12 located centrally thereof. The head10 is formed with a small air passageway 13 in alinement with theoutlet12 and a tube 14 is secured at one end in the head 10 with its bore 15in communication with the passage way 13. A bulb 16 secured to the otherend of the tube 14 is adapted to force air under pressure through thepassageway 13 and nozzle outlet 12.

The head 10 is formed with a second passageway 17 leading into thenozzle 11 and connected with a bore 18 formed in the stopper 7. A smallcup 19 is adapted to be connected to the stopper 7 and to be receivedwithin the upper part of the container 5. The cup 19 has a central stem20 extending upwardly from its bottom and beyond the rim of t-he cupwhere it is threaded as at 21 for connection with the correspondinglythreaded portion of the stopper 7. The stem 2O has a cen tral bore 22 inalinement with the bore 18 in the stopper and adapted to receive the contents of the cup 19 through a port 23 at its lower end.

The side wall 24 of the cup has its rim beveled as at 25 and is adaptedto fit tightly against a correspondingly shaped seat 26 formed in thebottom of the stopper, when the stem 20 is screwed into the stopper asfar as possible. Y v

In the modification shown in Figure 2, the

parts of the cup 19 and other parts which are similar to those shown inFigure 1 are desig nated by the same reference characters. A nozzle 27is secured in the stopper 8 and is formed with an outlet 28. The nozzle27, however, is not in direct communication with the tube 14. The nozzle27 has an inner member 29 which is in alinement with the outlet 28 andconnects the same with the bore 18 in the stopper. lThe inner member 29of the nozzle 27 is surrounded by a space 30 which is connected with theinterior ot the cup 19 by a passageway 31. T he tube 14 is connected tothe interior ot the cup by a. passageway 32.

When the atomizer is in position tor use, the cup 19 will be adjusted tothe position shown in the drawing with the beveled rim spaced from theseat 26. Liquid from the container may be caused to How into the cup byshaking or tilting the container. In the operation of the atomizer asshown in Figure 1, when the bulb 16 is compressed, air will be forcedunder pressure through the passageway 13 and nozzle outlet 12. This willcause a suction in the passageway 17 and the bore 18 of the stopper andwill cause liquid to be drawn from the cup 19 and mixed with the airemitted trom the outlet 12 so as to forni a tine inist or spray.

When the atomizer is not in use, it a small amount ot' liquid is left inthe cup 19 to cover the port 23, this will form a liquid seal to preventevaporation of the contents of the container. It will be understood otcourse that the area of the bore 22 is so small that evaporationtherefrom will be practically negligible. It the pressure within thecontainer 5, due to heat or other causes, should become great enough totorce the contents ot the cup 19 through the nozzle, the amount of thesame will be so small that it will cause no damage, and after the cuphas` been emptied there will be a tree vent through the port 23.

Then the atomizer is to be packed for travelling, the cup 19 will bescrewed tightly against the seat 2G so that it will be impossible torthe contents ot the container to be spilled.

ln the form shown in Figure 2, the structurc and the function of the cup19 are substantially the same as in the torni shown in Figure 1. Fig. 2however, shows a different type oi atomizer in which pressure actsdirectly on the liquid to force the same through the nozzle. N hen thebulb 16 is compressed, air is forced under pressure into the cup 19.Atthe same time, the air pressure against the surface of the liquidforces the latter through the port 23 and upwardly through Athe bore 22and through the inner portion 29 of the nozzle. The increase in airpressure causes a current ot air under pressure to pass through the bore31 and through the outer portion of the nozzle. rlhese streams of airand liquid will become mined and will be emitted trom the outlet 28 inthe form ot a tine spray or mist.

From the foregoing description it will be understood that the inventionis adapted to be used on any type ot atomizer and is especiallydesirable in preventing any possibility ot damage to the dresser ortable on which it is kept. At the same time it pre'- vents waste et' thecontents of the container without the use of any complicated or eX-pensive mechanism. It is apparent also that the structure shown in thedrawing is merely for the purpose of illustration and that the same maybe considerably modified without any material departure from the scopeof the invention as claimed.

lVhat l claim is 1. In an atomizer, the combination with a container anda stopper therefor having a passageway through which liquid may bedischarged, ot' a cup supported in position to constitute a liquid sealfor said passageway when the cup contains the requisite amount ofliquid, said cup being adjustable to eilect closure between the contentsof the container and said passageway to prevent escape of said contents.

2. ln an atomizer, the combination with a container and a stoppertherefor havinga passagew y through which liquid may be dis-` charged,of a hollow stem constituting a downward extension of said passagewayand. a cup supported by the stem in position to constitute a liquid sealtor said passageway' when the cup contains the requisite amount ofliquid, said stem having an inlet portwithd in the cup near the bottomthereof, said stem being adjustable to raise the cup and eiiect aclosure between the contents of the container and said passageway toprevent escape ot' said contents.

3. rlhe combination with a liquid container, of a stopper having aliquid passageway therethrough, and means depending from said stoppertor receiving a small portion of the liquid contents ot the container,when the container is shaken, and covering the lower end ot saidvpassageway therewith.

Il. The combination with a liquid container, o'i a stopper having aliquid passageway therethrough, and means ior receiving a small portionol' the liquid contents of the container, when the container is shaken,`and covering the lower end of said passageway therewith, said meansbeing adjustable to effect a closure between the contents o'li thecontainer and said passageway to prevent escape of said contents.

5. A stopper 'for liquid containers and having a liquid passagewaytherethrough, a cup having a stem connected with the stop-` per and arim encompassing said stem and spaced therefrom, said stem beingadjustable to cause the rim of the cup to engage the stopper, the bottomof said stopper being formed with a seat surrounding said passageway,against which said rim is engageable to form a liquid tight closure.

6. A stopper for liquid containers and having a liquid passagewaytherethrough, a cup having a hollow1 stem connected with the stopper,said stem constituting a cownward extension of said passageway andhaving an inlet port within the cup near the bottom thereof, said cupbeing adapted to receive liquid from the container to cover said port,said stem being adjustable to cause the rim of the cup to engage thestopper, the bottom of said stopper being formed with a seat surroundingsaid passageway, against which said rim is engageable to form a liquidtight closure.

7. A stopper for liquid containers and having a liquid passagewaytherethrough, a c-up having a hollow stem extending upwardly from itsbott-om, said hollow stem having a threaded connection with the stopperand constituting the inlet end of said passageway, said stem beingadustable to cause the rim of the cup to engage the stopper, the bottomof the stopper being formed with a seat against which said rim engagesto form a liquid tight closure.

8. In an atomizer, the combination with a container and a stoppertherefor, of a cup, means for supporting the cup in open position withinthe container, a nozzle, means for discharging liquid from the cupthrough the nozzle, and means to adjust the cup and seat its rim againstthe stopper, thereby effecting a closure for the cup and positivelyexcluding the contents of the container from the cup and from thenozzle.

9. In an atomizer, the combination with a container and a stoppertherefor having a passageway through which liquid may be discharged, ofa cup supported beneath the entrance to said passageway and having a rimencompassing said entrance and no1'- mally spaced from the stopper, saidcup being adjustable to seat its rim against the stopper and effect aclosure between the contents of the container and the interior of saidcup and passageway to prevent escape of said contents.

l0. In an atomizer, the combination with a container and a stoppertherefor having a passageway through which liquid may be discharged, ofa cup supported beneath said passageway in position to constitute aliquid seal therefor when the cup contains sufficient liquid, therebeing normally free communication over the rim of the cup between theinterior thereof and the rest of the space inside the container, wherebyliquid may be transferred from the latter to the cup by shaking ortilting.

11. In an atomizer, the combination with a container and a stoppertherefor having apassageway through which liquid may be discharged, of acup supported beneath said passageway and having a hollow stemconstituting an extension thereof, said stem having an inlet port withinthe cup near the bottom thereof, said cup being normally in suchposition that there is free communication over its rim between theinterior of the cup and the rest of the space inside the container,whereby liquid may be transferred f rom the latter to the cup by shakingor tilting.

12. The combination with a liquid container, of a stopper having aliquid passageway therethrough, means for receiving a small portion ofthe liquid contents of the container when the container is shaken ortilted, and covering the lower end of said passageway therewith, and acentral stem connected to said stopper and supporting said receivingmeans.

13. The combination with a liquid container of a stopper having a liquidpassageway therethrough, means for receiving a small portion of theliquid contents of the container when the container is shaken or tiltedand effecting therewith a liquid seal for the iower end of saidpassageway, a stem connected to saidl stopper and supporting saidreceiving means, said stem having a passageway therethrough whichconstitutes a prolongation of the passageway through the stopper.

l-i. A stopper for liquid containers and having a liquid passagewaytherethrough, a cup having a stem connected with the stopper and a rimencompassing said stem and spaced therefrom, said stem being adjustableto cause the rim of the cup to seat against the bottom of the stopper toform a liquid tight closure, said stem being formed with a passagewayconstituting a prolongation of the passageway through the stopper andhaving an inlet opening from the interior of the cup.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name to thisspecification.

THOMAS A. DE VILBISS.

